From thunderstorms and loud noises to separation from the owner, there a number of reasons your dog may suffer from anxiety. Being a responsible pet owner, it is important that you identify the signs of anxiety in your dog, know what makes him anxious, eliminate the source, and make effort to calm him.
While behavior modification therapies, such as desensitization and counter-conditioning, remain the most effective remedies for dog anxiety, they need time and patience. Therefore, it is important that you use some quick and effective remedies to offer immediate relief to your dog.
Here are 5 natural remedies that you may use to reduce your pet’s anxiety and stress.
1. Distract Your Dog
Thunderstorms, firecrackers, and other loud noises can make a dog fearful. The easiest way to relieve anxiety caused due to loud noises is to shield your pet from the frightening sound and engage him in an activity that captures his attention. Grab a tennis ball and ask your dog to fetch it or practice some commands. However, this technique works only when your pet is beginning to get anxious.
2. Try Canine Sound Therapy
Just like humans, soothing music can help a dog feel comforted and less anxious. Sound therapy can prove to be effective for different types of anxiety, including separation anxiety and travel anxiety. You can either leave a television on when you’re required to leave your dog alone at home and do grocery, or take advantage of sound therapy programs to help your dog deal with the fear of fireworks, traffic, or domestic noises.
3. Give Him a Massage
Massage can be an extremely helpful technique in calming an anxious dog. Massaging the body of your dog in long, slow, gentle strokes not only relieves muscle tension, but also stimulates the release of feel-good hormones, making your dog feel calmed and comforted.
4. Treat Anxiety with Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy is a safe, gentle, and side-effects-free way to treat dog anxiety. While there are a number of essential oils that can be used for this purpose, the use of lavender oil to treat dog anxiety is widespread. All you need to do is spray pure lavender oil on a towel when giving a massage to your dog or brushing his coat. This way, your dog will start associating the odor with relaxing activities and will feel less anxious in the presence of the particular odor during stressful conditions.
5. Take Your Dog for a Walk
Taking your dog out for a walk not only distracts his attention, but is also a great way for him to exert some extra energy and feel relaxed. Physical activity is particularly useful for dogs that suffer from separation anxiety. A brisk walk in the morning can help your dog a great deal, particularly if he is going to spend the day alone at home while you’re at work.
These simple and quick natural remedies can reduce dog anxiety. However, if you’re unable to find time to take your dog out for a walk, you can benefit from a dog walking service and ensure your dog’s health and happiness.